Washable costume system and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a system, method of manufacture and method of use that provides for an easily changeable costume system that allows for quick costumes changes without having to entirely undress and allows for the purchase of add on decorative items to allow for costume changes without having to buy an entirely new costume. According to a preferred embodiment, an interchangeable costuming system is disclosed comprising: a washable foundation with a plurality of first ends of an attachment device fixedly attached; and at least one non-washable decorative cover with at least two second ends of an attachment device fixedly attached. The second ends of the attachment device are intended to removably attach the non-washable decorative cover to the washable foundation so as to provide a washable garment with a non-washable decorative cover. Additional decorative items may be added on.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to costumes for theaterand belly dancing. Specifically, the present invention provides aninterchangeable and washable costume system and method of manufacture.

[0002] Belly dancing and theatrical costumes can be extremely costly.For example, belly dancing costumes can cost around $900-$1,500. Also,performers may be required to wear a number of different costumes for asingle show. For performers, this can be very cost prohibitive. Anotherproblem is that a performer may be required to do a number of costumechanges very quickly. It may be undesirable to entirely disrobe andchange costumes for a number of reasons. Firstly, the time required tochange may be viewed as too long. Second, a performer pressed for timemay be required to entirely disrobe in front of everyone backstage tochange his or her outfit in time to get back out on stage. Changingoutfits may, therefore, be undesirable for a number of reasons. Becauseof this, it would be desirable to provide a costuming system that iscapable of being easily interchanged.

[0003] Known within the art are articles of clothing that provideinterchangeable straps and portions. For example, Hall, U.S. Pat. No.5,211,598, discloses an exercise brassiere having an outer layer adaptedto fit over the wearer's upper torso and shoulders. The inner layer andthe outer layer are constructed of lightweight, stretchable fabrics. Theinner layer has cut-outs for receiving the breasts of the wearer. Amiddle layer may be provided for extra comfort. A covering layer may beincluded to cover the outer layer. The covering layer may be constructedof a decorative fabric, suitable to the taste of the wearer, so that theexercise brassiere can be worn alone as a top. A decorative fabricruffle may be attached along the seam extending about the neck opening.

[0004] Koenig, U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,928, discloses a garment attachmentthat can be attached to clothing. The garment attachment is adecorative, flexible panel that can be attached to clothing. The deviceis attached to clothing by plurality of snap fasteners.

[0005] Laudick, U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,230, discloses a halter top madefrom a portion of a pair of pants. The connecting straps are formed frommaterial removed from the pants and attached in a configuration suchthat the former back pockets from the pants make up the cups of thehalter top or bra and cover the wearer's breasts. The shoulder and sidestraps are trimmed to a desired length from the seam of the pants.

[0006] Hopps, U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,466, discloses a support garmenthaving a multi-layered rectangular front panel and a back panel and twoadjustable shoulder straps interconnecting the front panel and the backpanel and extending about a wearer's shoulder. The support garment canbe worn in place of a bra, or over existing clothing or even as an outergarment. The straps are of a wide design to help disburse strain. Thestraps may be adjustable. The straps are fixed to the back panel and areprovided with hook and loop fasteners to interconnect with matching hookand loop fasteners located on the interior surface of the front panel.

[0007] It is also known to provide strapless bras, i.e. bras with a bodyportion but no straps, as well as tank tops with adjustable straps.Additionally, it is known to provide tank tops with removable straps sothat the tank top can be converted to a tube top. Also, it is known toprovide a bra with straps which are detachable from the bra body at theback end, and attachable together to form a “halter” style bra.

[0008] While it is known to provide bras and the like with added andremovable straps, it is submitted that none of the prior art discloseall of the elements of the present invention, nor do they disclose allof the benefits of the present invention. In particular, heretoforethere has not yet been a system, method of manufacture and method of usethat provides for an easily changeable costume system that allows forquick costumes changes without having to entirely undress and allows forthe purchase of add on decorative items to allow for costume changeswithout having to buy an entirely new costume.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a costuming system and method formanufacture. It may be utilized for professional showgirls, orientaldancers, belly dancers, theatrical costumes and the like. An intentionof the present invention is to get more wear out of these expensivecostumes, by making them washable and interchangeable, thus adding moreversatility, reducing the costs of costumes and facilitating quickcostume changes for dancers on the stage.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, aninterchangeable costuming system is disclosed comprising: a washablefoundation with a plurality of first ends of an attachment devicefixedly attached to the washable foundation; and a non-washabledecorative cover with at least two second ends of an attachment devicefixedly attached thereto, wherein the second ends of the attachmentdevice are intended to removably attach the non-washable decorativecover to at least one of the first ends of an attachment device fixedlyattached to the washable foundation so as to provide a washable garmentwith a non-washable decorative cover.

[0011] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a garmentand a plurality of attachable accessories comprising an interchangeablegarment set is disclosed. The garment set may have a brassier foundationwith a plurality of attachment device first ends and at least onedecorative cover. Each decorative cover has at least one second end ofan attachment device for removably attaching the decorative cover to thebrassier foundation.

[0012] According to yet another embodiment, a method for manufacturingan interchangeable costume garment set is disclosed. The steps may be:providing a washable foundation; fixedly attaching a plurality of firstends of a plurality of attachment devices to the washable foundation;providing at least one non washable decorative cover; fixedly attachingat least two second ends of the plurality of attachment devices to eachnon-washable decorative cover; providing at least one decorative itemwith at least one second end of the attachment devices fixedly attachedthereto; and fixedly attaching at least one second end of the attachmentdevice to each at least one decorative item.

[0013] According to still yet another embodiment, a method of utilizingan interchangeable costume system is disclosed, comprising the followingsteps: selecting a washable foundation with a plurality of first ends ofattachment devices fixedly attached thereto; selecting a decorativenon-washable cover with at least two second ends of the attachmentdevices attached thereto; and removably attaching at least two secondends of the attachment devices of the decorative non-washable cover tothe first ends of the attachment devices attached to the washablefoundation so as to provide a costume system wherein a number ofdifferent decorative non-washable covers may be utilized with a singlewashable foundation.

[0014] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1A is a front view of brassiere according to the presentinvention;

[0016]FIG. 1B is an exploded view of a brassier according to the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a belt according to the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing aninterchangeable costume garment according to the present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of utilizing an interchangeablecostume system according to the present invention; and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The following detailed description is of the best currentlycontemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is notto be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope ofthe invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0021] As discussed previously, belly dancers, professional andtheatrical performers of all types often need to change outfits quickly,and a number of times throughout a single performance. Another problemis the cost of performance costumes. Many performers can not afford anumber of different costumes. Because of this, it is desirable toprovide a system, method of manufacture and method of use that providesfor an easily changeable costume and allows for the purchase of add ondecorative items to provides changes in the costume without having tobuy an entirely new costume. It is also envisioned that the systems andmethods may provide novelty lingerie items.

[0022]FIG. 1A illustrates the current invention according to a preferredembodiment. Shown is the costuming system 10. The costuming system 10 iscomposed of three separate garments according to this embodiment. Thewashable foundation 30 is manufactured of a washable material and servesas the undergarment. The washable foundation 30 may be a brassiere,sash, belt, scarf, shawl, hip scarf, skirt or the like. According to theembodiment shown, the washable foundation 30 acts to provide a firm andcomfortable position for the bra, around the chest of the user. At oneend of the washable foundation 30 may be a clasp end 14, while a loop 16may exist at the opposite ends. These devices provide a simple means forclosure of the washable foundation 30 around the torso of the user. Inremovably or detachable connection with the washable foundation 30 isthe decorative covering 20. The decorative covering 20, having twofunctional surfaces, provides for a visible costume for the user.Decorative materials, not limited to those present, may form the outside(visible) surface. In this case, ornamental beads 40 line the outsidesurface of the decorative covering 20. According to one embodiment, thesecond ends of the attachment device fixedly attached to the decorativecover 20 are removably attached to the first ends of the attachmentdevice fixedly attached to the washable foundation. The attachmentdevice may take a number of different forms, including hook and eye,snaps, Velcro™, zippers, buttons, ziploc™, button and tape. It is alsoenvisioned that a second decorative cover may be placed over thedecorative cover. This allows for quick change. For example, a performermay perform a first act with the second decorative cover showing, thenquickly remove the second decorative cover to show the first decorativecover. Of course, a multitude of decorative covers may be added, and alayer removed for each costume change. The maximum number of decorativecovers will depend on the material used. It should also be noted, thatsnaps on the outside of a first decorative cover may be used to attachdecorative items or another decorative cover.

[0023] There may also be a decorative item attached to a portion of thecostume. As shown, there is a fringe strip 26 with fringe 28 alsoremovably attached to the washable foundation 30, adding to theornamental quality of the invention. It is desirable that the fringestrip 26 be between the washable foundation 30 and the decorativecovering 20, so that the fringe strip 26 is not visible. The fringe 28should hang so as to be visible. To accomplish this task, the fringestrip may have a second end of an attachment device fixedly attached toone side and a first end of an attachment device fixedly attached to theother side. The second end of an attachment device on the fringe stripmay be removably attached to the first end of an attachment devicefixedly attached to the washable foundation 30. The first end of anattachment device on the fringe strip may be removably attached to thesecond end of an attachment device fixedly attached to the decorativecover 20. In this manner, the garment may be work with or without thefringe. In sewn connection with the fringe strip 26 may be a pluralityof fringes 28. These fringes 28 hang from the fringe strip 26. Inparticular, fringes 26 may also be used, ornamentally, to hold slottedjewels 29. It is envisioned that a number of different additions andchanges could be made to the costuming system, including the addition oftassels, bra straps, even sleeves, or pants and skirts in the case of anunderwear like washable foundation.

[0024]FIG. 1B depicts an exploded view of the brassiere as shown in FIG.1A to provide more detail. The washable foundation 30 consists of aright side and left side cup 17,18 respectively. Also shown are thefirst ends 22 of the attachment device. These first ends 22 areconnected by sewing to the inside surface of the decorative cover 20.These first ends 22 are also in communication with the second ends 12 ofthe attachment device. According to this embodiment, the first ends 22“snap” into the second ends 12 given a minimal amount of hand appliedpressure. Thus forming a reversible rigid connection between thedecorative covering 20 and the brassiere foundation 30.

[0025]FIG. 2 depicts a washable foundation 60. The washable foundation60 according to this embodiment is a belt. The decorative cover 62 maybe beaded, lace or any other decorative fabric which may not be suitablefor washing. As shown, there may be fringe 64 as in the previousembodiment. A skirt portion 66 may be attached to the washablefoundation 60 or the decorative cover 62. It is also envisioned thatthere may be additional decorative items such as tassels, snap onappliqués, skirts and even removable legs or leg covering portions.

[0026]FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for manufacturing aninterchangeable costume garment set according to the present invention.As shown, the method may be comprised of a number of different steps.The first step 300 may be providing a washable foundation 30. This maybe a brassiere, sash, belt, scarf, shawl, hip scarf, hat, skirt or anyother desired item of clothing appropriate for a performance costume.Step 302 is to fixedly attaching a plurality of first ends of aplurality of attachment devices to the washable foundation 30. Accordingto a preferred embodiment, this may be a female portion of a snap. Thenext step 304 may be providing at least one non-washable decorativecover 20. The non-washable decorative cover may be made of a number ofdifferent types of materials including beaded, appliqúe, embroidered,lace, non-washable materials and dry clean only materials Performancecostumes may be very complex, with detailed broidery, beading,appliqúes, and the like. Step 306 is fixedly attaching at least twosecond ends of a plurality of attachment devices to each non-washabledecorative cover 20. According to a preferred embodiment, this may be amale end of a snap. The non-washable decorative cover may already havebeads or decorations already attached. However, it may also be desirableto complete step 308 attaching beads to the non-washable decorativecover 20 after the attachment devices have been fixedly attachment tothe decorative cover 20.

[0027] Where it is desirable to provide additional decorative elementsadditional steps may be taken. Step 310 providing at least onedecorative item (e.g. fringe 28) with at least one second end ofattachment devices fixedly attached thereto, and step 312 fixedlyattaching at least one second end of the attachment device to each atleast one decorative item. Decorative items may include a bra strap,fringe, tassels. The next step 314 may be removably attaching at leasttwo second ends of the plurality of attachment devices of thenon-washable decorative cover 20 to at least two of the plurality offirst ends of the attachment devices fixedly attached to the washablefoundation 30. Step 316 may be removably attaching at least one secondend of the attachment device fixedly attached to the decorative item toat least one of the first ends of the attachment devices fixedlyattached to washable foundation 30.

[0028]FIG. 4 depicts a method of utilizing an interchangeable costume orgarment set. The first step 400 may be selecting a washable foundation30 with a plurality of first ends of attachment devices attachedthereto. Step 402 selecting a decorative non-washable cover 20, whereinthe decorative non-washable cover 20 has at least two second ends of theattachment devices attached thereto. Step 404 is removably attaching atleast two second ends of the attachment device of the decorativenon-washable cover to the first ends of the attachment devices attachedto the washable foundation so as to provide a costume system wherein anumber of different decorative non-washable covers 20 may be utilizedwith a single washable foundation 30. Step 406 may be selecting at leastone decorative item (e.g. fringe 28) with at least one second end of theattachment devices fixedly attached thereto. Step 408 removablyattaching at least one second end of the attachment device of thedecorative item to the first ends of attachment devices attached to thewashable foundation 30. Optionally, Step 410 may be selecting at leastone decorative bra strap with at least two second ends of attachmentdevice fixedly attached thereto. Step 412 may be removably attaching atleast two second ends of an attachment device of at least one decorativebra strap to the first ends of attachment devices attached to the brafoundation.

[0029] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates topreferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. An interchangeable costuming system comprising: a washablefoundation with a plurality of first ends of an attachment devicefixedly attached to said washable foundation; and at least onenon-washable decorative cover with at least two second ends of anattachment device fixedly attached thereto, wherein said second ends ofsaid attachment device are intended to removably attach saidnon-washable decorative cover to at least one of said plurality of firstends of an attachment device fixedly attached to said washablefoundation so as to provide a washable garment with a non-washabledecorative cover.
 2. An interchangeable costuming system as in claim 1,further comprising at least one non-washable decorative item with atleast one second end of an attachment device.
 3. An interchangeablecostuming system as in claim 2, wherein said at least one non-washabledecorative item is chosen from the group consisting of a bra strap,fringe, tassels, snap on appliqúes, arm nets with fringe, sleeves,pants, shawl, sash, skirt, and bracelets.
 4. An interchangeablecostuming system as in claim 1, wherein said washable foundation isselected from the group consisting of a brassiere, sash, belt, scarf,shawl, hip scarf, and skirt.
 5. An interchangeable costuming system asin claim 1, wherein said attachment device is chosen from the groupconsisting of a hook and eye, snaps, Velcro™, zippers, buttons, ziploc™,buttons and tape.
 6. An interchangeable costuming system as in claim 1,wherein said non-washable decorative cover is chosen from the groupconsisting of beaded, appliqúe, embroidered, lace, non-washablematerials and dry clean only materials.
 7. A garment and a plurality ofattachable accessories, the garment and accessories comprising aninterchangeable garment set, the garment set comprising: a brassierfoundation, said brassiere foundation having a plurality of attachmentdevice first ends; and at least one decorative cover, each saiddecorative cover having at least one second end of an attachment devicefor removably attaching said decorative cover to said brassierfoundation.
 8. A garment set as in claim 7, further comprising adecorative fringe having at least one second end of an attachment devicefor removably attaching said decorative fringe to a portion of saidgarment set.
 9. A garment set as in claim 7, further comprising adecorative bra strap having at least two second ends of an attachmentdevice for attaching said decorative bra strap to a portion of saidgarment set.
 10. A garment set as in claim 7, further comprising adecorative fringe having at least one second end of an attachment devicefor removably attaching said decorative fringe to a portion of saidgarment set.
 11. A garment set as in claim 7, wherein said non-washabledecorative cover is chosen from the group consisting of beaded,appliqúe, embroidered, lace, non-washable materials and dry clean onlymaterials.
 12. A garment set as in claim 7, wherein said attachmentdevice is chosen from the group consisting of hook and eye, snaps,Velcro™, zippers, buttons, ziploc™, buttons and tape.
 13. A garment setas in claim 7, further comprising at least one non washable decorativeitem chosen from the group consisting of a bra strap, fringe, tassels,snap on appliqúes, arm nets with fringe, sleeves, skirt, and bracelets.14. A method for manufacturing an interchangeable costume garment set,said method comprising; providing a washable foundation; fixedlyattaching a plurality of first ends of a plurality of attachment devicesto said washable foundation; providing at least one non-washabledecorative cover; fixedly attaching at least two second ends of saidplurality of attachment devices to each said non-washable decorativecover; providing at least one decorative item with at least one secondend of said attachment devices fixedly attached thereto; and fixedlyattaching at least one second end of said attachment device to each saidat least one decorative item.
 15. A method for manufacturing aninterchangeable costume garment set as in claim 14, further comprisingthe steps of: removably attaching said at least two second ends of saidplurality of attachment devices of said non-washable decorative cover toat least two of said plurality of first ends of said attachment devicesfixedly attached to said washable foundation; and removably attachingsaid at least one second end of said attachment device fixedly attachedto said at least one decorative item to at least one of said pluralityof first ends of said attachment devices fixedly attached to saidwashable foundation.
 16. A method for manufacturing an interchangeablecostume garment set as in claim 14, further comprising the step ofattaching beads to said non-washable decorative cover.
 17. A method formanufacturing an interchangeable costume garment set as in claim 14,wherein said step of providing a washable foundation is accomplished soas to form a washable foundation selected from the group consisting of abrassiere, sash, belt, scarf, shawl, hip scarf, and skirt.
 18. A methodof utilizing an interchangeable costume system: selecting a washablefoundation, wherein said washable foundation has a plurality of firstends of attachment devices attached thereto; selecting at least onedecorative non-washable cover, wherein said decorative non-washablecover has at least two second ends of said attachment devices attachedthereto; and removably attaching said at least two second ends of saidattachment devices of said decorative non-washable cover to said firstends of said attachment devices attached to said washable foundation soas to provide a costume system wherein a number of different decorativenon-washable covers may be utilized with a single washable foundation.19. A method of utilizing an interchangeable costume system as in claim18, further comprising the step of: selecting at least one decorativeitem with at least one second end of said attachment devices fixedlyattached thereto; and removably attaching said at least one second endof said attachment device of said at least one decorative item to saidfirst ends of attachment devices attached to said bra foundation.
 20. Amethod of utilizing an interchangeable costume system as in claim 18,further comprising the step of: selecting at least one decorative brastrap with at least two second ends of said attachment device; andremovably attaching said at least two second ends of said attachmentdevice of said at least one decorative bra strap to said first ends ofattachment devices attached to said bra foundation.